Chris Fagan determined to speak out in bid to clear his name despite no chance of mediation in AFL’s investigation into Hawthorn’s racism saga involving First Nations players
- Chris Fagan named as key figure into alleged racism at Hawks
- Denied explosive allegations, as did Alastair Clarkson and Jason Fagan
- Mediation since taken off the table, Fagan plans to still speak out
- Clarkson labelled Hawthorn’s governance & conduct ‘just shameful’
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan remains determined to speak out and ‘tell his truth’ despite mediation in the AFL’s investigation into Hawthorn’s racism saga no longer being an option.
Fagan, 61, has categorically denied all historic allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players during his time at the Hawks.
He was named alongside Alastair Clarkson and former player development manager Jason Burt in an explosive report last September in the lead up to the AFL Grand Final.
While Fagan – who was employed by Hawthorn from 2008-2016 before taking over as head coach of the Lions in 2017, won’t be involved in a mediation session, he still plans on speaking publicly regarding the allegations.
‘There are a lot of stories – I don’t know what ones are true and what ones aren’t,’ he said.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan remains determined to speak out and ‘tell his truth’ despite mediation in the AFL’s investigation into Hawthorn’s racism saga no longer being an option
Fagan was employed by Hawthorn between 2008 and 2016, and has categorically denied all historic allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players during his time at the club
‘I’m just waiting for the official word from the people who are on the inside and involved, and I don’t have really any update from where we were last week or the week before that.
‘I’m still very willing to go and tell my truth when the opportunity arises, which it still hasn’t.’
Clarkson recently stood down as North Melbourne’s senior coach due to the stress of the investigation, and Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves quit earlier this week.
‘This investigation has taken its toll on a lot of people, and that’s not good to see,’ Fagan said.
‘It’ll be good to reach some conclusion with it sometime in the very near future, that will be ideal.’
The racism saga first started behind the scenes in April last year, when retired Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli and wife Shannyn detailed claims of racism at the club.
A review into the treatment of past and current First Nations players was quickly launched, with Indigenous consultant Phil Egan appointed to lead the report.
A furious Clarkson recently questioned the credibility of the investigation before announcing he was taking indefinite leave as head coach of North Melbourne
Former Hawks staffer Jason Burt was also named in the report last year – and has also denied any wrongdoing
Egan completed his review in September, with explosive allegations emerging that ‘key figures at the AFL club bullied certain players and also demanded the separation of young First Nations players from their partners, and pressured one couple to terminate a pregnancy for the sake of the player’s career.’
Clarkson, Fagan and Burt were the three club identities named in the report – and the trio all strongly denied the allegations.
They were also accused of running the football department ‘like the Russian Mafia.’
A furious Clarkson last week questioned the credibility of the investigation before announcing he was taking indefinite leave from the code.
But before he stepped down at Arden St, he had a parting shot at his old club Hawthorn, where he won four premierships.
‘There’s one particular party that was the catalyst for all this, that haven’t been investigated at all,’ he said.
‘Their governance and conduct in this whole thing, the Hawthorn Football Club, [has been] just shameful.’
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